When a Plan Comes Together: When Bad Things Happen

By Sharon A. Mitchell

How far would YOU go to get what you believed you deserved?

 

Jackson saw how some people had it all. Life came so easily to his wife's privileged family.

 

Would it kill them to share more of their bounty with him?

 

Maybe.

 

When a Plan Comes Together is a 90 page short-story.  You'll get to know Jackson and his struggles, and how far he'll go to get what he deserves.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sharon Mitchell
• Release date: Aug 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781998111053

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Upscale Trash - a bar for those wealthy enough to indulge in slumming, without the risk of running into those kinds of people. A haven where people with money could let down their hair, don those stylishly ripped jeans and t-shirts that cost more than a week’s salary for an average Joe.

I gotta go, Jackson. The old ball and chain invited her parents for dinner. I skipped out the last time but can’t afford to do that again. Gotta keep on daddy’s good side. Paul pushed his high stool back from their polished, round table and stood, buttoning his coat.

Ah, Paul, the bill’s not paid.

Paul clapped his old roommate on the shoulder. Your turn, mate.

Jackson shook his head. No can do. They’d been drinking steadily since they arrived here after work. Twice, the waitress had cleared the empty glasses from their table. With each drink costing 20 bucks, the tab built up.

Man, you’re not broke again, are you?

Humble roots were one way to describe Jackson’s upbringing. They got by, barely. His dad ran a sewing machine in a shoe factory; his mother cleaned offices on weekends. They believed they instilled values in their only child, values of honesty and hard work.

Of those, only the hard part stuck. He wanted no part of hard.

Smart enough to win a partial scholarship to Vassar, Jackson got his foot in the door. Sadly, that full ride was beyond his abilities, which meant taking fewer classes and working part-time just to eat.

The free tuition and books, plus his own job in Vassar’s Gordon Commons Cafe, allowed him to pay the rent on the rat-hole, one-room apartment he rented off campus. He lied on his job application, and no one checked to ensure he had the cooking experience he claimed. He’d never even made a grilled cheese sandwich at home. YouTube was a wondrous thing, and he learned enough to pass. Although there were other jobs on campus, cooking kept him behind the scenes where he wouldn’t run into any classmates, classmates who never gave a thought to where money came from. It was just always there, with parents who kept the old bank account topped up.

Bad karma, or just plain bad luck, prevented Jackson from being born into such households.

Bursting with pride at their valedictorian son, his parents expected Jackson to go to college, but the local state college. That way he could live at home and keep his part-time job at the supermarket.

How would that look on his resume? Jackson had a pretty good idea, and for the career streams he had in mind, he needed a school with some prestige.

In those endless hours researching colleges, Vassar kept coming to the top of his list.

He also needed money. His parents obliged unwillingly, though. A car accident ended both their lives, plus Jackson’s money woes, making dreams possible.

Vassar was Ivy League - maybe not the best, but respectable.

It was known for being a woman’s college - not exclusively, but many young women from well-to-do families headed there. Perfect! A wealthy heiress was exactly what he needed.

Paul was on his phone. Meggsy, I’m sorry, honey, but I’m going to have to miss dinner. He lowered his voice. I got a buddy here who is in a bad way. I’ve tried to get away, but I can’t leave him alone this evening. He’s had a tough breakup, and you never know what he’ll do. He listened. No, not everyone has a marriage like ours. Give my love and regrets to your parents. I’ll make it up to them. Weird noises came through the tiny speaker. Paul rolled his eyes at Jackson. Yeah, love you too, Snookums.

Snookums? Jackson asked.

Ya do what ya gotta do. He sat back down. Thanks, buddy. Your state of near suicidal grief gave me a legitimate excuse to avoid spending hours with my in-laws.

So next time I see Meg, she’ll grill me about my supposed break-up?

Wouldn’t be surprised. Make it good, will ya?

They’d covered for each other so often over the years; it was second nature, perfecting their woeful faces, and pity-inducing stories.

Enough, man. This has gone on long enough. Paul put his arm around Jackson’s shoulders. We need a plan to get you hitched and hitched well. He raised his arm, signaling the waitress. Two rusty nails on the rocks and keep them coming.

Paul, I can’t pay.

Neither can I. But Daddy-O can. Business expense, entertaining clients. Pays to marry the boss’ daughter. The two men clinked glasses. Now, let’s see about getting you hitched.

CHAPTER 2

Elizabeth brushed her lips with the damask napkin. She folder her hands in her lap to keep them still, waiting for just the right opportunity. Mother, Daddy, it came.

What’s that, dear? Melody, her mother asked.

My acceptance letter came. From Vassar.

I thought we had talked about this.

That meant he had voiced his opinion. No one disagreed with Winston Abberly.

Yes, Daddy, we did. Thankfully, because of her mother’s training, her voice remained steady. A lady did not allow her emotions to take control. I know you’d prefer I attended Princeton, but I really want to go to Vassar.

Vassar isn’t renowned for its business training; Princeton is.

True, Daddy. Now was not the time to broach her dream of interior design, rather than entering the family business. One thing at a time; this was her only opportunity to get away.

"I’m confident your acceptance letter from Princeton will arrive any day. Perhaps I’ll have a